A podoscope is a podiatry device allowing the static examination of the foot by visualizing the footprints of a patient. It makes it possible to determine the points of support and thus various characteristics or malformations of the foot that can lead to a defect in posture and therefore to pain. The examination carried out can help in the choice of a type of orthopedic insoles, for example. The simplest podoscopes make it possible to visualize the prints thanks to a system of mirrors. There are also fluorescent podoscopes that use a light guiding system to suppress many parasites.

The podoscope is a podiatry device for visualizing the plantar imprint of the foot, examining the distribution of the bearing surfaces and analyzing the arch of a patient.

Invented between 1920 and 1950, the podoscope was initially used by shoe sellers to analyze the feet of their customers in order to best adapt the shoes they made.

Composition and structure

The podoscope is today in the form of a raised platform with a transparent surface, lit from below. It is composed:

• thick glass capable of supporting the weight of a patient. The upper surface is generally made of very resistant thick plexiglass, which provides perfect transparency to ensure good visualization of the footprint;
• a mirror placed in a raised or flat position. It is in this mirror that the professional will be able to observe the various supports naturally operated by the patient’s feet on the ground. The reflection is therefore essential for the practitioner to have a global overview and to see the underside of the two feet properly;
• a lighting device.

Various technologies are used to illuminate the surface of the podoscope:

• LED: the LED lamp does not emit heat on the illuminated area and provides excellent color rendering;
• Halogen: traditionally used in many light emitting devices, halogen bulbs are disappearing within the European Union because they consume too much energy;
• Fluorescent: still present but also less and less used, fluorescent lighting (tubes or neon) has the advantage of not being very greedy in energy but the disadvantages of functioning thanks to novice gaseous substances and of emitting a lot of energy. heat.

The patient standing on the glass will exert pressure on certain parts of his foot. It is these parts of the support zones of the arch of the foot, which, creating a contrast with the other parts of the sole of the foot that are not constrained, will be highlighted by the examination.

The podoscope is the flagship tool of podiatry practices. Its use also extends to certain physiotherapy or sports medicine establishments. It makes it possible to determine the points of support, and thus various characteristics or malformations of the foot which can lead to a defect in posture and therefore to pain.

Indeed, certain anomalies or pathologies are likely to seriously affect the normal walking of a patient during his life:

• physiological abnormalities such as varus, valgus, flat foot;
• birth defects of the pelvis, hip, legs or feet;
• spinal disorders that directly affect the joints and tendons;
• sudden weight gain which may induce plantar pain (formation of a heel spur);
• repeated efforts following an intense sporting activity such as walking or running, which can cause recurrent pain in the foot.

According to the information collected on the foot during the visual examination of the arch of the foot carried out with the podoscope, the comfort of the foot can be improved thanks to plantar supports (soles), orthotics or the implementation of other therapeutic solutions. in order to relieve the patient.

Before each footprint measurement, a clinical examination of the foot is carefully carried out to determine the various possible malformations or possible biomechanical disorders of the foot. The podiatrist then just has to recover the impression of the arch of the foot, via the podoscope, to manufacture the plantar support adapted to the morphology of the patient’s foot.

Using the podoscope is extremely simple: the patient just needs to sit upright on the transparent surface. The podiatrist can thus observe, using the reflection on the mirror, the soles of the patient’s feet and detect any physiological anomaly.

To power the light point, the podoscope must be connected to an electrical source. The devices are therefore equipped with a mains plug. To switch on at the start of the examination or switch off the lighting at the end of the examination, podoscopes have an “ON / OFF” switch button.

The different models

The simplest podoscopes make it possible to visualize the prints thanks to a system of mirrors. There are also fluorescent podoscopes that use a light guiding system to suppress many parasites.

The podoscope’s support structure can be made from various materials such as wood, plastic or even metal. For medical use, it is advisable to choose a model whose surface can be easily disinfected, in order to best respect the essential hygiene prerogatives in a medical practice. This is why podiatry professionals naturally turn first to plastic materials that are particularly resistant to wear and easy to clean, and having a lower acquisition cost than metal structures.